Sudanese Drama "Cotton Queen" Wins Top Prize at Thessaloniki Film Festival

Last month, the Sudanese drama "Cotton Queen" emerged victorious at the Thessaloniki Film Festival, taking home the prestigious Golden Alexander award for best feature film. The arresting debut from director Suzannah Mirghani, who is the first-ever Sudanese woman to helm a feature film, wowed the festival jury, which included industry veterans from the U.S. and Greece.

"Cotton Queen" follows the story of a young Sudanese woman living in a village on the Nile River. The granddaughter of a legendary "Cotton Queen," Nafisa works in her grandmother's fields and dreams of a future with the man she loves. However, her parents and community have other plans, setting off a conflict that upends Nafisa's life.

In her acceptance speech, Mirghani dedicated the award to Sudan, which is currently embroiled in a devastating civil war. She also honored her Sudanese cast and crew, who are now displaced from their homes and seeking refuge in Egypt, where the film was shot. Despite the immense challenges, Mirghani emphasized that the recognition for "Cotton Queen" shows that Sudanese artists can still create and thrive, even in the midst of conflict.